I've been noticing a new trend with Jem lately. At some point within the last few weeks, he decided that he doesn't really need to listen to me when I'm talking. I ask him to stop walking and wait for us and he just keeps going. Or I ask him to put a toy in a certain spot and he puts it in a different spot.
And when I correct him, he starts giving me attitude. Making noises under his breath and pushing papers off of the table. Refusing to come to me when he is called and not remaining in time-out.
And I'm not liking this new trend. I feel like I have a surly teenager already. I thought that I had this child going on a good path and now we've taken a turn into uglyville. I don't like the feeling of being disrespected by my child, especially when I'm doing my best to keep him safe and to mold him into a decent human being.
And last week, thanks to a good conversation, I had the epiphany that when it comes to my relationship with God, I'm just like my children. I don't listen because I'm convinced that I know better. And when it doesn't go the way I want it to go, I pout. I make noises under my breath and I whine and complain. Even when I know that He wants the best for me, I still react poorly when His best doesn't match up with my vision. And I wonder if He feels disrespected or if that is just a human emotion.
How do I mold my child into a decent human being when I'm still working on that for myself?

photo by: Munira al Munif  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranem/5370431938/